… As Deaf Man Drags FRSC to Court
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Chairman, Anambra State Disability Rights Commission (ASDRC), Barr. Chuks Ezewuzie, has unveiled the Agenda for the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Addressing newsmen in Awka, Barr. Ezewuzie said actualizing Legal Representation for Persons with Disabilities would be Powered by RoLAC (Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme) and unveiling the Commission’s Plans for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) would take place on December 3rd across various locations in Onitsha, Awka and Ekwulobia under different themes.
Meanwhile, a Civil servant from Nanka, Ọrumba North Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State, Mr Victor Onwudiegwu, has dragged the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to court over refusal to issue him a driving license.
Onwudiegwu, who has a hearing impairment, applied for driving license at Agụta Office of FRSC but was reportedly denied access to the license on the basis of him being deaf.
Speaking on why they had initiated legal action on Onwudiegwu’s behalf, the Pro Bono lawyers of the agency said the commission had also initiated legal actions on behalf of three other Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), including Mr Nwokedi Philip, a person living with Albinism who escaped a ritual killing attempt by a friend, and Mrs Ifeoma Ejidike, disfigured by brother-in-law.
Ezewuzie, who said the Pro Bono lawyers powered by the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption programme, were ready to defend and protect the rights of PWDs as enshrined in the Anambra State Disability Rights Law, 2018.
‘Our partnership and collaboration with the State Ministry of Justice and others will provide no excuse not to seek redress in court in accordance with sections 20 and 23 of Anambra State Disability Rights Law. So if the rights of PWDs are infringed upon, they are now empowered to go to court and seek redress – the lawyers will represent them, even where they are charged,’ he added.
